Latest news with #ACR
Tom's Guide
5 hours ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Apple TV 4K is still the best streaming box when it comes to privacy
New evidence suggests the Apple TV 4K might be home to the most privacy-protected display interface in the market. In a recent breakdown by Ars Technica, the website revealed that certain ad-related settings are turned off by default or are totally non-existent on the platform. One of those key missing features is ACR, which stands for Automatic Content Recognition. It's a new feature cropping up on several new smart TVs, allowing TV makers increased access into your daily viewing habits. It's not on the Apple TV 4K, though. Like on iPhone, tvOS applications must ask you before they collect data, and all the data that is collected is totally anonymized. It's not the perfect system, but if you're concerned about your privacy, Apple TV 4K continues to prove itself as one of the best streaming devices. As ACR crops up on many of its rivals, Apple has stayed clear from the feature entirely. Most TV manufacturers use vastly different names for it, but the concept remains the same: collecting viewing habits to target specific ads that meet your interests. But it's not just ACR the Apple TV 4K excludes. Have you ever noticed the messages that crop up whenever you first boot up a new app on an Apple device? iPhone and iPad users might be most accustomed to it, but it essentially makes third-party app providers ask if you're OK with them collecting analytics data and using location services before they start up. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. These opt-out measures are a huge game changer and puts privacy concerns to bed for the wary. Apple TV 4K also allows you to turn off other data collecting services like Siri on tvOS. Apple can keep Siri transcripts on its servers for a set period of around six months, however there's nothing stopping you from disabling Siri outright . Although Apple TV 4K might be the most privacy-protected of all the streaming devices, it's not a full-proof experience. You will still have some privacy concerns to deal with, largely stemming from Apple accounts and the TV application. Search terms are a big one, as is your general history, but you can even disable personalized recommendations if you wanted to. These sort of make sense, though, as they're not necessarily targeting you nefariously to sell you ads but gain a better understanding of your viewing history to better improve Apple's own recommendations. Meanwhile, you have companies like Roku and LG devising some of the most dystopian methods of gaining a better understanding of your viewing habits: LG TVs are about to show you ads based on your emotions, which is terrifying to think about. Roku's no better, patenting all kinds of ways to ensure its platform remains ad-rich. That's what makes Apple stand out. Despite several flaws and a rather high price, the Apple TV 4K is one of the best ways to bypass ad-heavy platforms and keep your viewing habits as private as possible. Hopefully, the rumored Apple TV 4K refresh takes a similar approach to this success.
Mint
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Armed forces ‘united' by uniform' not divided by ‘religion': Delhi High Court
The armed forces comprise of personnel of allreligions and castes, they are 'united by their uniform' and undivided by their religion, the Delhi High Court made this comment recently while upholding the termination of a Christian Indian Army Officer who refused to participate in religious parades. The termination order makes it clear that officer, Samuel Kamalesan, was resolute in his decision of not attending religious parades citing personal religious beliefs, which was corroborated by his Commanding Officer, said a division bench of Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Shalinder Kaur. It also said that Kamalesan was terminated on the basis of his conduct and its impact on military discipline and unit cohesion, rather than solelyon the Annual Confidential Report (ACR) ratings. 'Our Armed Forces comprise of personnel of allreligions, castes, creeds, regions, and faiths, whose sole motto is to safeguard the country from external aggressions, and, therefore, they are united by their uniform rather than divided by their religion, caste,or region,' the Delhi High Court said in its order. 'The Commanding Officers are to lead by example and not by division; and by placing the cohesion of the Unit above individual religious preferences, particularly when commanding troops who they will lead in combat situations and war,' the Court said. Acknowledging the dedication of military personnel who guard India's borders day and night in adverse conditions, the court said the ethos of Indian armed forces places nation before self and certainly nation before religion. Kamalesan has filed a plea in the Delhi High Court, challenging his termination order and dismissal from the Indian Army without pension and gratuity. He has also sought reinstatement in service. Kamalesan was commissioned in the Indian Army in March 2017 in the rank of a Lieutenant in the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, which comprises of 3 squadrons of Sikh, Jat, and Rajput personnel. He was appointed as the Troop Leader of Squadron B which comprises of Sikh personnel.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi HC upholds dismissal of Christian officer from Army, says ‘keeping religion over superior's command is act of indiscipline'
The Delhi High Court has refused to set aside the dismissal of a Christian officer of the Indian Army who had abstained from attending a pooja held as part of the regimental parade. The court held that commanding officers are to lead by example, placing unit cohesion above individual religious preferences. Samuel Kamalesan was commissioned into the Indian Army on March 11, 2017, in the rank of a lieutenant in the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, which comprises three squadrons of Sikh, Jat, and Rajput personnel. He was made the troop leader of Squadron B, which comprises Sikh personnel. It was his case that his regiment maintained only a mandir and a gurudwara for its religious needs and parades, and not a 'sarv dharm sthal' (all-religion site), which would serve people of all faiths. He also highlighted that the term 'sarv dharm sthal' is not used in the regiment, which otherwise refers to the weekly religious parades as 'mandir gurudwara parade'. He also said there was no church on the premises. In its May 30 order, the court also held that keeping religion above a lawful command from a superior was 'clearly an act of discipline'. In June 2017, after he respectfully refused the regiment's commandant's instruction to enter the inner sanctum sanctorum and participate in the pooja during one of the weekly religious parades, as a mark of respect, as well as the fact that his monotheistic protestant Christian faith did not permit him to do so, he claims to have started facing 'extreme disciplinary action', including being passed over for promotions and training courses, and ultimately his dismissal in 2021. Kamlesan claimed that his Annual Confidential Report (ACR) for 2017 and 2018 initiated by the regiment commandant 'contained adverse remarks over his religious beliefs'. To establish this argument, Kamalesan also pointed out that with a change in the commandant in June 2019, his ACR improved. In January 2019, disciplinary action against him was initiated with the issuance of a showcause notice for abstaining from pooja and he was finally terminated on March 3, 2021. The Centre argued that Kamalesan had failed to attend the regimental parades despite multiple attempts by the commandant and other officers to explain the importance of regimentation. It claimed that 'troops derive motivation, pride, and generate their war cry from devotional practices to a deity, and when an officer distances himself from these practices, it adversely affects the morale of the troops, undermining regimentation, cohesion, and unity during combat'. The Centre had stressed that 'this is an essential professional responsibility and military duty of the petitioner and not a religious obligation.' A division bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur, while upholding the dismissal, reasoned in its order, '…while there can be no denial of the fact that the petitioner has the right to practice his religious beliefs, however, at the same time, being the Commanding Officer of his troops, he carries additional responsibilities as he has to not only lead them in war but also has to foster bonds, motivate personnel, and cultivate a sense of belonging in the troops…. In the present case, the question is not of religious freedom at all; it is a question of following a lawful command of a superior…In the present case, the petitioner has kept his religion above a lawful command from his superior. This clearly is an act of indiscipline.' Noting that the standard of discipline required for the armed forces is different, the bench observed, 'The motivation that is to be instilled in the troops may necessitate actions beyond ordinary civilian standards…It is for the Armed Forces and the military leadership to determine what actions they feel are important for its Commanding Officers to take in order to effectively motivate the troops under their command, and what may act as a demotivating factor for the Forces or to the bond and unflinching command that the Commanding Officer must yield over the troops. The Courts cannot second-guess the same.' 'The petitioner's refusal to fully participate in weekly Regimental religious parades, despite counseling at multiple levels of command and multiple opportunities being given to him for compliance, demonstrates an unwillingness to adapt to the requirements of military service and the Armed Forces…While we recognize the importance of religious freedom, the petitioner's position as a Commanding Officer required him to prioritize unit cohesion and the morale of his troops. His persistent refusal to fully participate in weekly regimental religious parades, despite extensive counseling and opportunities for compliance, justified the action taken by the respondent,' the court held. Upholding the Army's decision to not conduct a court martial before his dismissal from service, the bench held, 'As the religious sentiments and the morale of the troops were in question, the same made a formal Court Martial proceedings unsuitable for resolution. Therefore, in the specific context of military discipline and the unique circumstances of the present case involving religious beliefs and regimental cohesion, the Chief of Army Staff's satisfaction that conducting a Court Martial would be both inexpedient and impracticable, given the sensitive nature of the religious issue, appears find that in such circumstances, a Court Martial might have led to unnecessary controversies, which could be detrimental to the secular fabric of the Armed Forces' The order further records the bench's observation that, 'While Regiments in our Armed Forces may historically bear names associated with religion or region, this does not undermine the secular ethos of the institution, or of personnel who are posted in these regiments. There are also War Cries which, to an outsider, may sound religious in nature, however, they serve a purely motivational function, intended to foster solidarity and unity amongst the troops…A higher and heightened responsibility is cast on Commanding Officers to ensure that troops under their command are provided with facilities, when required, to observe their respective religious practices. The Commanding Officers are to lead by example and not by division; and by placing the cohesion of the Unit above individual religious preferences, particularly when commanding troops who they will lead in combat situations and war.'
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Delhi HC Upholds Dismissal Of Christian Indian Army Officer Who Shunned Religious Parades
Last Updated: Samuel Kamalesan had argued that he accompanied his troops to the mandir and gurdwara in weekly parades and festivals, seeking exemption only from entering the innermost sanctum The Delhi High Court has confirmed the dismissal of a commanding officer in the Indian Army, Samuel Kamalesan, who consistently refused to participate in regimental weekly religious parades due to his Christian faith, despite multiple counselling sessions and opportunities provided by his superiors. Kamalesan challenged his termination and the denial of pension and gratuity, arguing that he had accompanied his troops to the mandir and gurdwara during weekly parades and festivals. He sought exemption only from entering the innermost sanctum during rituals, citing respect for his monotheistic Christian beliefs and his troops' sentiments. His plea highlighted that the regiment maintained only a mandir and a gurdwara for its religious needs, not a 'Sarv Dharm Sthal" for all faiths. The court noted that the dismissal was based on his conduct and its negative impact on military discipline and unit cohesion, not solely on his Annual Confidential Report (ACR) ratings. The HC emphasised the dedication of armed forces personnel and their ethos of placing the nation before self and religion. It observed that the armed forces are united by their uniform, not divided by religion, caste, or region, and commanding officers have a higher responsibility to ensure their troops can observe their religious practices. Commissioned as a lieutenant in March 2017, Kamalesan served in the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, which includes Sikh, Jat, and Rajput personnel. He led a squadron primarily composed of Sikh soldiers and noted the absence of a Sarv Dharm Sthal, or church, on the premises. Kamalesan claimed regular attendance at the mandir and gurdwara but sought to avoid the inner temple sanctum during rituals. The respondent argued that his consistent non-attendance at regimental parades was despite efforts to explain their significance. The Chief of Army Staff reviewed the records and deemed his retention undesirable due to misconduct. The court dismissed the plea, underscoring the secular principles of the armed forces, despite regimental names and war cries that might appear religious to outsiders. It respected the religious beliefs of personnel but stressed the higher standard of discipline required in the armed forces. The HC ruled that Kamalesan's prioritisation of his religion over a lawful command constituted indiscipline. It underscored that the armed forces and military leadership, not the courts, determine necessary actions for effective command and troop motivation. The termination order highlighted Kamalesan's behaviour as contrary to the Indian Army's secular ethos and detrimental to officer-troop camaraderie essential in combat. The court concluded that a court-martial trial for Kamalesan's misconduct was impractical due to the sensitive nature involving religious beliefs and upheld the disciplinary action taken against him. First Published:
Medscape
4 days ago
- General
- Medscape
How Lifestyle Changes Can Make a Difference in PsA
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by dactylitis, enthesitis, peripheral arthritis, skin and nail psoriasis, and spondylitis, occurs in around 10%-30% of people with psoriasis. While several pharmacological treatment strategies exist, PsA continues to significantly impact patients' pain levels, functional capacity, and mental well-being. Along with joint and skin manifestations, PsA is associated with several comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), central sensitization syndrome, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, fatty liver disease, gout, infections, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, osteoporosis, and uveitis, all of which negatively impact quality of life (QOL). Patients with PsA are also more likely to experience psychological issues, such as anxiety and depression. Given these challenges, nonpharmacological interventions play a key role in disease management. Healthy lifestyle changes, including dietary modifications, regular exercise, and quitting smoking — along with psychological interventions — are essential to improve PsA and QOL. Here are common nonpharmacological interventions that can improve symptoms and QOL of patients with PsA. In their treatment guideline, the American College of Rheumatology and National Psoriasis Foundation (ACR/NPF) recommend nonpharmacological interventions for PsA, including acupuncture, low-impact exercise, massage, occupational therapy, physical therapy, smoking cessation, and weight loss despite weak evidence for all except smoking cessation. The Importance of Physical Activity in Reducing Inflammation Physical activity and targeted exercises play an important role in reducing inflammation, disease severity, and outcomes in patients with PsA. Studies have found that exercise, particularly when combined with dietary modifications, can improve PsA symptoms. The ACR/NPF recommend low-impact exercise over high-impact exercise for managing PsA. In their guideline, the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology notes regular physical activity as an integral part of care for patients with PsA. Regular exercise, including resistance training, aerobic, and flexibility exercises may improve and preserve joint function, reduce inflammation, and enhance QOL in patients with PsA. A 12-week single-blind parallel randomized controlled trial by Silva et al found functional training and resistance training similarly improved disease activity, functional capacity, functional status, general QOL, and muscle strength in patients with PsA. The Link Between Diet and Inflammation in PsA Dietary interventions focused on weight loss alleviate mechanical strain on the joints and reduce the risk of CVD in patients with PsA. Weight loss has also been shown to improve disease activity. Moreover, research suggests some dietary modifications, along with exercise, can improve PsA disease outcomes independent of weight loss. Diets rich in saturated fats or certain omega-6 fatty acids while anti-inflammatory diets can improve PsA symptoms and disease activity. Among various anti-inflammatory diets, the Mediterranean diet has gained the most popularity as studies have found it to be associated with lower disease activity in patients with PsA. According to the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation, patients with PsA may consider the Mediterranean diet on a trial basis in conjunction with pharmacotherapy. The NPF medical board also emphasizes increased intake of fiber, complex carbohydrates, monosaturated fatty acids, and omega-3 fatty acids. Although other dietary interventions for improving PsA are less studied, a case report by Lewandowska et al found a whole-food vegan diet improved PsA symptoms a 40-year-old woman. Further research, however, is needed to confirm the role of vegetarian or vegan diets in modulating PsA disease activity. Smoking: What Role Does It Play? The association between smoking and the development of PsA remains inconclusive, with studies yielding mixed results. At the population level, smoking is positively associated with PsA. However, some studies suggest smoking increases the risk of developing PsA, while others indicate no significant association between cigarette smoking and the progression of joint damage. Beyond disease onset, smoking has been linked to poorer treatment outcomes in PsA. An observational cohort study by Højgaard et al found that patients with PsA who smoke had poor responses to treatment with tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors and were also less likely to adhere to their treatment plan. Additionally, smoking is a risk factor for CVD and other comorbidities common in PsA. Therefore, smoking cessation is an important lifestyle intervention for patients with PsA — not only to improve treatment efficacy but also to reduce the risk of other comorbidities, thereby improving the QOL. Integrating Weight Management in PsA Care The relationship between PsA and obesity appears to be bidirectional: Research has shown obesity is a common risk factor for developing PsA and that joint dysfunction and reduced physical activity due to PsA itself may result in weight gain. Patients with PsA and obesity often exhibit higher disease activity and poor response to treatment. An interventional study by Klingberg et al showed weight loss treatment with a very low energy diet improved disease activity, pain, fatigue, and C-reactive protein in patients with PsA and obesity. Similarly, another study by Klingberg et al also reported improvement in PsA disease activity after 12 months of weight loss treatment. In addition to diet and exercise, GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor agonists and incretins associated with weight loss may benefit patients with PsA and obesity. However, research on the effect of such drugs on PsA is quite limited still and requires further investigation. The Bidirectional Link Between Sleep and Inflammation In addition to obesity, there also appears to be a bidirectional relationship between PsA and sleep disorders. Persistent sleep disorders in PsA may be interconnected with inflammatory disease activity, chronic pain, fatigue, and psychological distress, creating a vicious cycle where each factor intensifies the others. Prolonged and significant decline in sleep quality reduces overall QOL and increases a patient's risk of developing CVD, hypertension, and metabolic disorders, comorbid conditions associated with PsA. Prolonged deterioration of sleep quality can negatively impact the QOL of PsA patients and increase the risk of developing hypertension, CVD, and metabolic disorders. Several lifestyle changes can help to improve sleep quality in patients with PsA. These include maintaining regular sleep-wake cycles, limiting alcohol and caffeine intake, and improving the patient's sleeping environment. Additionally, medications used to treat PsA — such as guselkumab, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, golimumab, infliximab), and the Janus kinase inhibitor filgotinib — have shown potential in improving sleep outcomes in patients with PsA. The Psychological Burden of PsA Pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression are common psychological comorbidities of PsA that have a negative impact on QOL. The odds of being diagnosed with behavioral and mental health disorders are higher in patients with PsA compared to the general population. Even with treatment, studies have shown that PsA affects patients emotionally, socially, and occupationally, underscoring the importance of comprehensive management since targeting the inflammatory activity of PsA alone may not improve the QOL. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a well-established psychological intervention that can improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances in patients with PsA. It can also improve sleep quality in PsA patients. Although research is limited, the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to improve psychological distress may in turn improve overall QOL in patients with PsA. Although research on this is limited, CBT can prove to be beneficial in improving mood disorders and the overall QOL of PsA patients.
